got the Live at Carnegie Hall record at the behest of this thread - good shit! thx for the rec everybody
― Shakey Mo Collier, Monday, 19 November 2007 23:32 (sixteen years ago) link
I Can't Write Lefthanded kills - weird version of Ain't No Sunshine tho (I like it but the drummer has an odd take on the rhythm)
― Shakey Mo Collier, Monday, 19 November 2007 23:33 (sixteen years ago) link
I saw a dvd at a friend's house, can't remember now if it was an "Old Grey Whistle Test" or some American thing, but anyhow, Bill Withers doing "Ain't No Sunshine" moved me to tears. Soooo beautiful. I also love the story about how he couldn't come up w/lyrics for a bridge, so he just kept the "I know, I know, I know..." part.
― dell, Tuesday, 20 November 2007 00:53 (sixteen years ago) link
I can feel my heart just athumpinanaskippin
― sprinkle me mayne (The Reverend), Sunday, 21 September 2008 05:25 (fifteen years ago) link
In a room with soft satin pillowsCrackling fireplace keeps us warmWhispering wind through weeping willowsSweet Wanomi resting in my arms
In a soft light her eyes are gleamingPretty little hand covers up her mouth when she yawnsWake me up, I must be dreaming thatSweet Wanomi resting in my arms
Sleepy kisses warm me softlyGet much warmer later onI reach for the light and turn it offSweet Wanomi resting in my arms
― mr. mayan end times guy (The Reverend), Thursday, 13 November 2008 04:36 (fifteen years ago) link
so in <3 with that song today
I'm convinced he's one of our greatest songwriters
― Thugocrat (PappaWheelie V), Thursday, 13 November 2008 05:31 (fifteen years ago) link
as am I
― mr. mayan end times guy (The Reverend), Thursday, 13 November 2008 05:45 (fifteen years ago) link
That's so great. On the B side of the "Grandma's Hands" single.
― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Thursday, 13 November 2008 07:37 (fifteen years ago) link
Nice riffette at the beginning.
― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Thursday, 13 November 2008 07:42 (fifteen years ago) link
Wanomi, not the Reverend.
― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Thursday, 13 November 2008 07:45 (fifteen years ago) link
thanks for clearing that up
― mr. mayan end times guy (The Reverend), Thursday, 13 November 2008 07:46 (fifteen years ago) link
Glad to.
― If Timi Yuro would be still alive, most other singers could shut up, Thursday, 13 November 2008 08:03 (fifteen years ago) link
Somehow I scored Live a t Carnegie Hall for $.50. Holy shit!
Girl (I guess) I just broke up with was not a fan of "Grandma's Hands". FUCK YOU, CLARA...YOU'RE BOTH WRONG AND GONE FOREVER, APPARENTLY.
― BODY PROP (nickalicious), Thursday, 13 November 2008 08:14 (fifteen years ago) link
yeah, that is a dealbreaker
― mr. mayan end times guy (The Reverend), Thursday, 13 November 2008 08:18 (fifteen years ago) link
hahaha wtf how could anyone not like that song
― Shakey Mo Collier, Thursday, 13 November 2008 16:33 (fifteen years ago) link
no one could not like that song
― Jordan, Thursday, 13 November 2008 16:43 (fifteen years ago) link
does she like blackstreet?
― Jordan, Thursday, 13 November 2008 16:44 (fifteen years ago) link
And I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know,I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, Iknow, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, I know, hey I'll leave the young thing alone.
― ⊂⊃ ⊂⊃ ⊂⊃ ⊂⊃ ⊂⊃ ⊂⊃ (Pleasant Plains), Thursday, 13 November 2008 17:04 (fifteen years ago) link
nickalicious, is your ex not a fan of grandmas?
― mr. mayan end times guy (The Reverend), Thursday, 13 November 2008 22:49 (fifteen years ago) link
OLYMPIA DUKAKIS & BO BEREK IN TOO MANY GRANDMAS!
― L@OO@K WHOS AWAKE NOW (PappaWheelie V), Thursday, 13 November 2008 23:03 (fifteen years ago) link
Still Bill, still chill:
Q: Bill Withers, you're having a moment. It seems like wherever you go, one of your songs is playing.A: I don't know. Marcia deals with all that stuff in the office, so she's probably more aware of that than I am. So I'll take your word for it.Q: So you have no interest in a comeback?A: There's a time for everything. And at certain times in your life, when you're young enough for that kind of vanity, you draw attention to yourself. And some people can do that into their eighties. It depends on your personality and how you've been socialized. I wasn't socialized in the entertainment business. I was in the Navy for nine years, I had a life outside of this well into my thirties [Withers worked in the aeronautics industry even after "Ain't No Sunshine" became a hit]. You know, this whole music thing was something that came into my life after I was formed socially. So it was fun, it served its purpose, I still like it, but it's not my main focus. In fact, it hasn't been for a long time. There are other requirements. You're somebody's father, you're somebody's husband, you're somebody's friend. And for me, it was important that I not neglect those other requirements just to satisfy some personal need that I might have for approval or attention from people that I don't even know.Q: That seems incredibly wise.A: I don't know how wise it is. I think we protect ourselves, if we're lucky, [from taking] on more than we're naturally equipped to handle. And I don't know if I'm built to be the center of attention all the time. I've been fortunate enough that the music that I've done seems to have its own life without me having to show up everywhere and wave. Then again, we all live according to the options that are provided to us. Maybe if I had to, I'd be grinding it out every night in some joint somewhere.
A: I don't know. Marcia deals with all that stuff in the office, so she's probably more aware of that than I am. So I'll take your word for it.
Q: So you have no interest in a comeback?
A: There's a time for everything. And at certain times in your life, when you're young enough for that kind of vanity, you draw attention to yourself. And some people can do that into their eighties. It depends on your personality and how you've been socialized. I wasn't socialized in the entertainment business. I was in the Navy for nine years, I had a life outside of this well into my thirties [Withers worked in the aeronautics industry even after "Ain't No Sunshine" became a hit]. You know, this whole music thing was something that came into my life after I was formed socially. So it was fun, it served its purpose, I still like it, but it's not my main focus. In fact, it hasn't been for a long time. There are other requirements. You're somebody's father, you're somebody's husband, you're somebody's friend. And for me, it was important that I not neglect those other requirements just to satisfy some personal need that I might have for approval or attention from people that I don't even know.
Q: That seems incredibly wise.
A: I don't know how wise it is. I think we protect ourselves, if we're lucky, [from taking] on more than we're naturally equipped to handle. And I don't know if I'm built to be the center of attention all the time. I've been fortunate enough that the music that I've done seems to have its own life without me having to show up everywhere and wave. Then again, we all live according to the options that are provided to us. Maybe if I had to, I'd be grinding it out every night in some joint somewhere.
― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 13 June 2009 14:16 (fourteen years ago) link
I mean, seriously, dude's a role model for life.
Also this (referring to the new Still Bill documentary):
Q: In "Still Bill," you're clearly ambivalent about fame, and uncomfortable in the spotlight. Have you watched the movie yet?A: Some of it. When we got down to the end and they were editing and re-cutting and stuff, I got tired of it. I turned it over to my wife. I was like, "This is wringing me out. I'm done." I said, "I wanna go to Home Depot. If there's anything embarrassing, make them take it out. I'll be over in the aisle with the new flush valves."
A: Some of it. When we got down to the end and they were editing and re-cutting and stuff, I got tired of it. I turned it over to my wife. I was like, "This is wringing me out. I'm done." I said, "I wanna go to Home Depot. If there's anything embarrassing, make them take it out. I'll be over in the aisle with the new flush valves."
― Ned Raggett, Saturday, 13 June 2009 14:17 (fourteen years ago) link
it's the Wallace Stevens ethos, and it's marvelous: nothing is worth sweating out as long as you're happy in the present and know you're good enough that you don't need people to see the strain anyway.
― Bud Huxtable (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 13 June 2009 14:28 (fourteen years ago) link
if bill withers and dusty springfield got together and had a little too much wine, that would be the perfect thing for this day
― surm, Saturday, 13 June 2009 16:01 (fourteen years ago) link
"I mean, seriously, dude's a role model for life.'
otm
this is great, thanks for alerting me to it. really looking forward to seeing this doc. "...carnegie hall" is still my fallback album for when i'm feeling down, even the between song banter is enough to bring cheer. it's got me out of a few holes.
― jed_, Saturday, 13 June 2009 16:02 (fourteen years ago) link
awww i wanna hang out at the home depot with bill withers
― psychgawsple, Saturday, 13 June 2009 16:35 (fourteen years ago) link
The films will be shown at the Silverdocs Film Festival on Thursday[June 18] at 9 p.m. and Friday [June 19] at 9:45 p.m., respectively.)
Hmmmmm. Wonder if I can make one of these showings
― curmudgeon, Saturday, 13 June 2009 22:28 (fourteen years ago) link
― psychgawsple, Saturday, June 13, 2009 9:35 AM Bookmark
this.
― The Reverend, Sunday, 14 June 2009 12:30 (fourteen years ago) link
awesome interview, esp. the end
http://www.maximumfun.org/sound-young-america/bill-withers-soul-legend-interview-sound-young-america
― Ømår Littel (Jordan), Wednesday, 8 July 2009 16:28 (fourteen years ago) link
omg "Then You Smile at Me"
― please banhammer don't b*hurt em (The Reverend), Wednesday, 2 December 2009 11:08 (fourteen years ago) link
one of my favourite youtubes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIdIqbv7SPo
james gadson is such a dude.
― caek, Wednesday, 2 December 2009 12:59 (fourteen years ago) link
i just used "i wish you well" as a fill in the blanks exercise for some adult esl students and they all dug it. also recently played the carnegie hall version of grandma's hands for a new grandmother and she got all filled up :)
― rent, Wednesday, 2 December 2009 13:16 (fourteen years ago) link
really love "grandma's hands"
i wish i had discovered this guy earlier
surely Anthony Hamilton is influenced by Bill ?
― lukevalentine, Sunday, 14 February 2010 22:59 (fourteen years ago) link
Uh huh. When he first came out, his press was all "Al Green x Bill Withers".
Anyway, if you haven't heard "Kissing My Love", you need to.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmJNrU6wPyM
― The Reverend, Sunday, 14 February 2010 23:16 (fourteen years ago) link
bill withers is god.
― by another name (amateurist), Monday, 15 February 2010 01:46 (fourteen years ago) link
As just received via e-mail:
Still Bill, a project by filmmakers Damani Baker and Alex Vlack, had what seemed like a simple idea: make a film about Bill Withers. Eight years later, on May 11th, the film will be released exclusively through www.stillbillthemovie.com. The full physical DVD and digital download are available through the website, as well as a deluxe package which includes exclusive merchandise. The DVD includes never bonus features, such as live performances from the Bill Withers Tribute Concert and conversations with Graham Nash, Bill Russell, and Jim Brown.
― Ned Raggett, Tuesday, 11 May 2010 18:02 (fourteen years ago) link
cold baloney!
― Brio, Tuesday, 11 May 2010 18:22 (fourteen years ago) link
Really loving 'Justments lately, but every time I get to that song where he talks about the special relationship between a young niece and a wise older uncle I get creeped out, even though I probably shouldn't.
― dlp9001, Tuesday, 29 June 2010 02:04 (thirteen years ago) link
the doc is extraordinary: fascinating and moving. i had tears in my eyes 3 or 4 times.
― jed_, Thursday, 15 July 2010 01:19 (thirteen years ago) link
and you can watch an edited version of it here in english w/ dutch subtitles (maybe it depends on where you are)
http://player.omroep.nl/?aflID=11120054&silverlight=true
― jed_, Thursday, 15 July 2010 01:20 (thirteen years ago) link
i'm bumping this in case anyone missed it. you NEED to watch this.
― jed_, Thursday, 15 July 2010 19:13 (thirteen years ago) link
I just finished torrenting it this morning. Gonna watch tonight.
― Johnny Fever, Thursday, 15 July 2010 19:13 (thirteen years ago) link
jed_ never mind on that. It's a fake/scam torrent.
― Johnny Fever, Friday, 16 July 2010 06:37 (thirteen years ago) link
ah ok cool. i wondered what was happening with it.
― jed_, Friday, 16 July 2010 11:38 (thirteen years ago) link
put yourself in jesus' hands, grandma's hands
― d4n, d4n, d4n (yausah, yausah, yausah) (The Reverend), Sunday, 22 August 2010 10:49 (thirteen years ago) link
because grandma is jesus
finally found a copy of live @ carnegie hall on vinyl :)
― just sayin, Saturday, 25 September 2010 15:05 (thirteen years ago) link
:)
― The Reverend, Saturday, 25 September 2010 16:17 (thirteen years ago) link
watched the edited version of doc that jed links to up thread. my goodness, i had the impression that he was a cool guy, but it's almost ridiculous. he is so genuinely and inspiringly humble. really devastatingly beautiful
― dude (del), Saturday, 25 September 2010 17:36 (thirteen years ago) link